Cohasset Select Board Plans Additional Funding for Capital Projects
Board votes to increase capital stabilization fund allocation, discusses town manager evaluation delay
COHASSET, MA - November 19 - The Cohasset Select Board voted Tuesday to increase funding for planning capital projects, approving an additional $100,000 for the town's capital stabilization fund. The decision came during a meeting that also addressed delays in the town manager's mid-cycle evaluation and contentious discussions about meeting minutes.
Select Board Chair Ellen Maher opened the discussion on capital funding, noting that the Capital Budget Committee had expressed interest in increasing the allocation beyond the initially proposed $50,000.
"I watched Capital last night and they're looking and hoping that their 50,000 can be increased more in line with what they feel historically has happened," Maher said.
Town Manager Chris Senior cautioned against allocating too much at this time, citing potential unexpected expenses and the need for flexibility.
"If there's extra money to go into capital, great. That's one of the top items in the plan and in our policy anyway," Senior said. "At the same time, I think there's some unanswered questions about what the school might need for some gaps."
After discussion, board member Paul Grady motioned to approve $100,000 for the capital stabilization fund, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
The board also approved an additional $100,000 for the Osgood School Roof Project, to be taken from the school stabilization fund. This allocation is required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for the project's design phase.
"This $100,000 is an MSBA requirement and it will come out of the school stabilization fund," Maher explained before the vote.
In other business, Maher expressed disappointment that the majority of the board failed to complete the town manager's mid-cycle evaluation on time.
"I'm very disappointed that the majority of the Select Board could not comply with the schedule and process for the town manager mid-cycle evaluation," Maher said. "It's the one work product that is required of all of us. And we had sufficient time to get it done."
The evaluation, originally scheduled for the Nov. 19 meeting, has been postponed to Dec. 3 to allow for all board members' input.
The meeting also saw heated debate over the approval of minutes from the Oct. 29 meeting. Board member Jack Creighton called for an independent third party to review the tape of the meeting and produce an accurate account.
"I was spoken over, attempted to be silenced, politically insulted, all right, in a series of very unprofessional things. And I think these minutes need to be sent back." Creighton said.
After discussion, the board voted 3-2 to approve the original minutes rather than an edited version proposed by board member David Farrag.
Senior provided updates on several town projects, including the Milliken Field courts concrete pour and the town hall roof replacement. He reported that the roof project came in under budget at $92,750, significantly less than the $325,000 allocated.
The board also approved the continuation of the School Stabilization Fund at $1.5 million and the Road and Sidewalk Stabilization Fund at $800,000 for fiscal year 2025.
The meeting concluded with a reminder of the upcoming special town meeting on Dec. 9 and a public forum scheduled for Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss petitioning the legislature for additional all-alcohol annual licenses.
The next regular Select Board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.